Trademark Classification

What is Trademark Class?

Trademark is a sign, symbol or mark used to differentiate between the goods sold by two or more manufacturers. Once registered the registration gives the owner the right to protect their trademark. The manufacture of goods and services are grouped into different classes. Each class requires a different registration. The Fourth Schedule To Trade Marks Rules, 2002  provides Classification of goods and services – Name of the classes. This is a classification of almost 80,000 products and services.

Trademark is segregated into 45 different classes as per the NICE classification for a trademark, also known as the International Certification of Goods and Services. Each of the trademark classes represents a distinct set of goods and services.

While filing a trademark registration application, it is necessary to do a trademark search to avoid discrepancies. It is essential to choose the right class of the trademark as the mark’s wrong classification can hamper the registration process.

Trademark applications can be filed in more than one class if the business’s activity involves various goods or services falling under different trademark classifications. Further, even if a registered trademark exists under one class, another entity can file a trademark application for the same mark under another class.

Hence, filing of trademark application under one class does not provide complete exclusivity over the mark’s use. Trademark only includes exclusivity for the mark’s use concerning the class of goods or services for which the trademark is registered. Use the trademark class finder tool to find the correct trademark class for your goods or service from over 80,000 goods and services.

Among the 45 classes mentioned below, 34 classes come under the Goods section, and 11 classes come under the service section.

A registered trademark has 10 years of validity. After that it needs renewal. You do not need to worry if you forget to renew it as you will receive a prior notice at your registered office regarding the renewal of your trademark. Usually, companies forget to renew their trademark. So, the Registrar informs them regarding the same 6 months before expiration. Still, if there is no action from your side, then Registrar issues a statement which says that your trademark would be removed from Trade Marks Journal.